Chopstick with disposable sleeve

ABSTRACT

A new chopstick with disposable sleeve is invented. This invention is better than the conventional disposable chopsticks, and it can save trees for the environment. This invention consists of a stick and a disposable sleeve. The sleeve can be removably installed on the tip portion of the stick. Special designs on the sleeve and the stick are provided for easy installation, securing, and removal of the sleeve. The sleeve also has the texture on its surface to help grip the slippery food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For health concern, the oriental restaurants use disposable chopsticks. Most of the disposable chopsticks are made of wood or bamboo which is not recyclable. This becomes an environmental concern. Besides, the disposable chopsticks are short and thin, and look cheap. To solve the problems, a chopstick with disposable sleeve is invented.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention consists of a stick and a disposable sleeve. The sleeve can be removably installed on the tip portion of the stick. The sleeve is provided for sanitary purpose and uses a small amount of recyclable material. When the chopstick is used, only the sleeve touches the food and mouth. After use, the sleeve can be easily removed. The stick can then be cleaned and reused with a new sleeve. Special designs on the sleeve and the stick are provided for easy installation, securing, and removal of the sleeve. The sleeve may also have the texture on its surface to help grip the slippery food.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is the side view of the chopstick with disposable sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The configuration of this invention is described as follows.

FIG. 1 is the side view of the invention. The invention consists of a stick and a sleeve. Both the stick and the sleeve are axle-symmetric. The stick has a length between 8 inches and 12 inches. The stick consists of two portions, i.e. a handheld portion [1] and a tip portion [3]. The tip portion [3] is generally thinner than the handheld portion [1]. The sleeve has a length less than one-half of the stick length, and consists of an open end [21], a sleeve body [3] and a closed end [41]. The sleeve is made of slightly elastic material. The sleeve can be telescoped onto the tip portion [3]. Different designs can be made to the stick and the sleeve such that the sleeve can removably secure to the stick after they are telescoped. For examples, one design is to make the open end [21] a ring configuration and have a ridge [2] between the handheld portion [1] and the tip portion [3] such that once the open end [21] passes the ridge [2] the contraction of the open end [21] can secure the sleeve to the tip portion [3]. The ring configuration of the open end [21] can also be used to help remove the sleeve. Another design is to make use of the friction between the sleeve and the tip portion [3]. To make the chopstick more users friendly, the closed end [41] may be slightly enlarged and the outer surface of the sleeve may be textured to help grip food from slipping off. 

1. A chopstick with disposable sleeve comprising a stick and a disposable sleeve; both the stick and the sleeve being axle-symmetric; the stick having a length between 8 inches and 12 inches; a handheld portion of the stick being thicker than a tip portion of the stick; the sleeve having a length less than one-half of the length of the stick; the sleeve having an open end and an closed end being able to be telescoped onto and removed from the tip portion of the stick,
 2. A chopstick with disposable sleeve according to claim 1 wherein the stick has a ridge between the handheld portion and the tip portion; wherein the open end of the sleeve has a ring configuration. 